Mahnaz Amini; Hosein Bashari; Mohammad Taghi Feizi
Volume 31, Issue 2 , August 2024, , Pages 120-129
Abstract
Background and objectivesVarious environmental and managerial stresses are severely threatening wetland ecosystems in Iran. The Gavkhouni Wetland, one of the largest and most strategically significant wetlands in the central plateau of Iran, faces numerous challenges. Given its unique ecological importance ...
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Background and objectivesVarious environmental and managerial stresses are severely threatening wetland ecosystems in Iran. The Gavkhouni Wetland, one of the largest and most strategically significant wetlands in the central plateau of Iran, faces numerous challenges. Given its unique ecological importance and the diverse plant habitats surrounding it, studying the vegetation in this area is crucial. Understanding the various conditions of the plants, including dominant families, geographical distribution, biological forms, and conservation status, is essential for any conservation, management, or ecological research activities in this region. MethodologyThe study area encompasses the upper reaches of the Zayandehrud River in Isfahan Province, covering 50,000 hectares with elevations ranging from 1,470 to 2,533 meters above sea level. This region has an arid climate characterized by saline soils, including solonchaks, marshy areas, and sandy soils. The average annual temperature at Gavkhuni Wetland is 17.6 degrees Celsius, with total annual precipitation measuring 91 millimeters. According to the Ambrothermic curve, the area experiences a prolonged dry period from April to November. Field surveys were conducted using 1:25,000 scale topographic maps from early October to November 2021. During these surveys, plant samples were collected, pressed, dried, and identified at the herbarium of the Natural Resources Department of Isfahan University of Technology, with consultation from experts and reliable scientific sources. This research resulted in a comprehensive list of plant species, detailing their scientific names, families, genera, life forms, geographical distribution, and conservation statuses. ResultsThe study identified 100 plant species from 16 families and 65 genera in the region, with 27 species possessing medicinal and industrial properties. The Amaranthaceae family, with 31 species, and the Asteraceae family, with 14 species, collectively constitute 45% of the vegetation cover. Other prominent families include Poaceae with 10 species and Fabaceae with 9 species. In terms of life forms, therophytes dominate at 40%, followed by hemicryptophytes at 23%. Geographically, 71% of the identified species belong to the Irano-Turanian floristic region. Despite the ecological challenges faced by the area, its diverse topography and edaphic factors have fostered significant species diversity. ConclusionGavkhuni Wetland's flora is highly sensitive to climate and management practices. Despite facing severe biological constraints, the region exhibits relatively robust plant diversity. Inadequate management of the Zayandehrud watershed, particularly in Gavkhuni Wetland, has resulted in declining groundwater levels and increased aridity, threatening many plant species with drying, pest infestations, shrub encroachment, and overgrazing. Continued adverse conditions, exacerbated by climate change, pose a significant threat to the region's flora.
hasan yeganeh; Seyed.Mehdi Pourbagher; mohamad akbari
Volume 29, Issue 1 , February 2022, , Pages 86-98
Abstract
Desert ecosystems have substantial economic potentials that paying attention to them to attain sustainable development and to get rid of the one-product economy is essential. According to the growing demand for ecotourism, calculating the recreational value of recreational areas seems to be necessary ...
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Desert ecosystems have substantial economic potentials that paying attention to them to attain sustainable development and to get rid of the one-product economy is essential. According to the growing demand for ecotourism, calculating the recreational value of recreational areas seems to be necessary for efficient and effective management. The purpose of this study is to determine the factors affecting the willingness of tourists to pay in the Qaleh-Bala area of Biarjamand city in Semnan province. To examine the factors affecting the willingness to pay, the Logit model was estimated by the maximum likelihood method. To measure the willingness to pay off the Qaleh-Bala Double-bounded Dichotomous Choice, it was used. The required data were prepared and collected by completing a questionnaire and face-to-face interviews with visitors from the area. The tourist samples were selected by a simple random sampling method for 207 people, and then the questionnaires were completed by them. The results of the Logit model showed that the coefficients of the variables number of visits, final destination, and distance from residence, monthly household expenses, and offered price were significant at the level of 1% and 5%. Finally, the average willingness to pay for the use of the area by visitors was 48,220 Rials and the annual recreation value of Qaleh-Bala village was estimated at 434 million Rials
Mehdi Farahpour; fatholah Ghayour; Hosein Sharbaf; Ali Yousefizadeh
Volume 12, Issue 2 , September 2019, , Pages 121-134
Kazem Dashtakian; Mohammad Khosroshahi
Volume 11, Issue 4 , September 2019, , Pages 383-408
Hamidreza Abbasi
Volume 8, Issue 3 , September 2019, , Pages 93-112
Mohammad Khosroshahi; Majid Hasani; Shirin Mohammadkhan; Abbas Attarpour; Seyed Aziz Karami; Abolfazl Khalilpour; Ebrahim Farahani; Hamidreza Abbasi
Volume 10, Issue 4 , August 2019, , Pages 409-428
Mohammad Khosroshahi; Majid Hassani; Seyed Aziz Karami
Volume 10, Issue 1 , August 2019, , Pages 40-56
Morteza Abtahi; Mohammad Khosroshahi
Volume 12, Issue 3 , August 2019, , Pages 249-262
Hosein Attarpour Fard; Majid Hasani; Mohammad Khosroshahi
Volume 11, Issue 3 , August 2019, , Pages 275-286
Mohammad Khosroshahi; Morteza Abtahi; Mohammadtaghi Kashki; Sakine Lotfinasab; Fateme dargahian; Zohre Ebrahimi
Volume 24, Issue 2 , July 2017, , Pages 404-417
Abstract
So far, different statistics have been presented for the area of deserts in the world and Iran by individuals and organizations. The reason for this difference is mainly due to the disagreement among experts in providing a comprehensive definition of desert and factors affecting its formation. In this ...
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So far, different statistics have been presented for the area of deserts in the world and Iran by individuals and organizations. The reason for this difference is mainly due to the disagreement among experts in providing a comprehensive definition of desert and factors affecting its formation. In this paper, the factors of natural environment, such as climate, vegetation, geomorphology, soil, geology and hydrology, whose effects are directly or indirectly involved in the emergence and general appearance of the desert, were investigated. Therefore, to identify and define the desert ranges in terms of the study factors, a number of indicators were defined, based on which desert zones were identified for each factor individually. Then, digital maps were produced by overlaying the layers. Results showed that the largest area of desert regions in Iran with a surface of 693690 and 567711 square kilometers is influenced by climatic and vegetation factors, respectively, and the least area of desert regions with a surface area of 208041 and 272,258 km is affected by the geological and geomorphologic factors, respectively. From the aspect of soil science, the area of desert regions in Iran covers a surface of 514930 km2. The total area of deserts was calculated to be 9007293 square kilometers, which accounts for 55 percent of the total area of Iran.
Kazem Dashtakian; Hamidreza Dashtakian; Mohammad Abolghasemi
Volume 22, Issue 2 , August 2015, , Pages 344-355
Abstract
The source of sandy dunes has been the main question in desert regions. Several theories have been already presented about this question around the world. In addition, several methods have been already invented and applied to find the source of sandy dunes. In this research, the relationship between ...
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The source of sandy dunes has been the main question in desert regions. Several theories have been already presented about this question around the world. In addition, several methods have been already invented and applied to find the source of sandy dunes. In this research, the relationship between playa and sandy area in Yazd province was studied using GIS. At first, the maps of sand dunes and playa in the province as well as neighboring areas were produced. Then, the distance and direction of all sandy polygons to the nearest playa was calculated. Meanwhile, the geographic center of sandy polygons and playa polygons were identified. According to the results, around 60% of sandy polygons had a distance less than 10 kilometers to the playa, and their average distance to the nearest playa was calculated to be 12745 meter. In more than 79% of sandy dunes, the nearest playa was located in the North West. The average angle of playas to the sandy dunes was 332 degree (N), matching with the main windroses and sandroses of province. Therefore, if all sandy dunes and playas are converted to one place, we will have one sandy dune with an average area of 4717 hectares as well as a playa with an average area of 220506 hectares in the northwest of sand dune. Eventually, according to the prevailing wind direction, the hypothesis of the role of playas as the main source of sand dunes in the Yazd province is reinforced.
Abolfazl Rahmatizadeh; Mohammad Jafary
Volume 21, Issue 3 , December 2014, , Pages 496-506
Abstract
Due to the population growth and human intervention in nature, desertification has increased drastically. The Masileh watershed is located in the southern highlands of central Alborz. In this study, vegetation condition, the volume of water entering the area, soil chemical characteristics, and ...
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Due to the population growth and human intervention in nature, desertification has increased drastically. The Masileh watershed is located in the southern highlands of central Alborz. In this study, vegetation condition, the volume of water entering the area, soil chemical characteristics, and agricultural production statistics of the region were examined and compared before and after the construction of dams during two periods with an interval of five years. Results showed that since the construction of 15- Khordad dam in 1995, the volume of water entering the Masileh plain has reached zero.The hydrograph study showed that the groundwater level of Masileh plain has dropped on average five meters/year. Due to the lack of flood entering and soil washing, the salt concentration of soil surface layers in most vegetation types has increased. Due to the lack of root access to water, the canopy cover percentage in halophyte vegetation types with shallow roots such as Aeloropus litoralis and Cyperus sp has been reduced up to 100%, and new species such as Halocnemum strobilaceum and Halostachys caspica have been replaced. In terms of agriculture, significant changes have occurred in the composition and type of agricultural crops. Our results clearly showed that the Masileh plain is turning from a productive agricultural area into a real desert.
Mohammad Khosroshahi; Ahdei Kali rad; Hamid Hossaini Marandy
Volume 18, Issue 2 , September 2011, , Pages 336-352
Abstract
In this research, deserts domain of Iran was studied and compared in view of the geological and climatological specifications.Geological deserts domain was made as digital maps with considering saline and evaporate formations which have been effective in their development. To determine climatological ...
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In this research, deserts domain of Iran was studied and compared in view of the geological and climatological specifications.Geological deserts domain was made as digital maps with considering saline and evaporate formations which have been effective in their development. To determine climatological deserts domain, climatological factors including amount of precipitation, rainfall coefficient variation, rainfall irregularity coefficient, the average intensity of daily precipitation, annual average temperature and amount of evaporation were calculated for all studied stations. Using Geographical Information System (GIS), the isohyets digital maps were prepared for each factor. With overlaying layers, a transitional boundary was made through which non-desert areas were separeted from deserts. All (geological and climatological) desert units were set up on the country map with utilization of the coordinate system and georeference. According to the results, climatological and geological deserts respectively encompassed 42.5 % (700991 km2) and 12.6% (208041 km2) of Iran map. Each individual layer covered different desert area on the map. Crossing and matching of two layers (common parts of overlaying) was 22.6% of the geo-climatological deserts of Iran which indicates differences between spatial distribution of geological and climatological deserts.
Saeid Gharachelo; Mohamad reza Ekhtesasi; Mojtabah Zareian Jahromi; Mohamad bagher Samadi
Volume 17, Issue 3 , October 2010, , Pages 402-420
Abstract
Nowadays, desertification is one of the ecological crises of the world. To control desertification, having a clear understanding of its factors and processes is necessary. Khezr Abad-Hemat Abad region of Yazd with area of 242 Km2 was considered to evaluate current condition of desertification using ICD. ...
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Nowadays, desertification is one of the ecological crises of the world. To control desertification, having a clear understanding of its factors and processes is necessary. Khezr Abad-Hemat Abad region of Yazd with area of 242 Km2 was considered to evaluate current condition of desertification using ICD. Iranian Classification of Desertification (ICD) was presented by M. Ekhtesasi and S. Mohajeri in 1995. First of all, available data were collected and basic studies were done. The data were entered in GIS and basic maps were produced through interpretation of aerial photos and satellite images using Arcview and Ilwis software. Eight desert homogenous units were separated according to the studies and by overlaying geomorphology, land use and vegetation cover maps. In next stage, effective factors in desertification including three environmental factors, three anthropogenic factors, soil erosion index, resilience potential and reconstruction of ecosystem were scored in a range of 0-10. Afterward, according to the sum of scores and comparing with table of desertification severity index, final desertification map was produced. The result showed that 81.53% of the region was in middle class of desertification while 18.47 % was in severe class. The environmental factors were determined as the main factor in desertification of 81.53 % area of the studied region while 18.47 % of that was affected by anthropogenic factors. Most main criterion in desertification of this region was water degradation process
Akbar Gandomkar Ghalhary; Mohammad Khosroshahi; Gholam reza Godarzi; Hojat ... ZAhedi pur; Esmaeil Azez abadi
Volume 17, Issue 1 , September 2010, , Pages 149-165
Abstract
Desert is a location in which life of plant and animal is hardly possible. In desert formation, different parameters including: climate, geology, vegetation, pedology, hydrology and geomorphology are special and their interaction to each other plays an important role. For desert area vegetation ...
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Desert is a location in which life of plant and animal is hardly possible. In desert formation, different parameters including: climate, geology, vegetation, pedology, hydrology and geomorphology are special and their interaction to each other plays an important role. For desert area vegetation and their boundaries, detailed investigation on such parameters and their interaction to each other is necessary. In this research, desert area of Markazi province was studied from the view point of vegetation. With determination of desert area boundary and gathering detailed data on such an area, the combating desertification and proper use and planning of desert area is possible. For this reason, first of all, the dominant vegetation types were determined and digitized using GIS with Ilwis academic program software. Then the dominant vegetation types were divided to different groups. The map of desert area and their boundaries were determined with taking into consideration the existing data and information and vegetation types characteristics. The result shows that the total desert vegetation types are 276074 ha with 21 special desert vegetation types and their potential capacity were determined. The result also show that the widest desert vegetation types are Hultemia persica – Scariola orientalis with 77833.8 ha which are distributed in Saveh, Arak, Delijan and Khomain townships and smallest desert vegetation type is Nitraria schoberri with 299.5 ha in marginal salty land of Mayghan playa. Finaly, vegetation map with boundaries of 21 desert vegetation types produced for this study area. ation types
Mohammad Khosroshahi; Mohammad taghi khashki; Tahereh Ensafi Moghaddam
Volume 16, Issue 1 , December 2009, , Pages 96-113
Abstract
Many climatology scientist adopted temperature and precipitation among all climatic parameters to identify desert regions from non-desert areas. There is no one definition of a desert that is accepted by all. The boundaries of a desert change radically depend on the variance in the range of proposed ...
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Many climatology scientist adopted temperature and precipitation among all climatic parameters to identify desert regions from non-desert areas. There is no one definition of a desert that is accepted by all. The boundaries of a desert change radically depend on the variance in the range of proposed criteria definition accepted. Thus this study was carried out to identify the boundaries of a desert territory from non-desert regions using climatic data such as total precipitation, average intensity of daily precipitation, annual average temperature and evaporation together with the coefficient of variance and seasonal concentration. For each climatic factor a digital map was produced for all studied provinces using Geographical Information System (GIS). By overlaying all digitized climatic factors a transitional strip of boundary was recognized and then its accuracy was checked with field data and topographic map. Based on this boundary strip, three zones were recognized as 1- true desert zone located inside the strip of boundary.2- non-desert area, outside of the boundary and 3-Semi-true desert zone located in the boundary strip itself. It was concluded that true or natural desert that known as climatology desert are 700991 km2 or 42.5 % of the Iran map.
Gholam reza Zehtabian; Jamal Bakhshi; Mehrnush Ghadimi; Nader Biroudian
Volume 15, Issue 4 , January 2009, , Pages 436-446
Abstract
As the recognition impact of a plant specie plantation in a specific area can determine the effects of that plant in other parts and areas of the country, the effects of Haloxylon plantation on the stand understory in desert lands of Ardestan were studied. Three areas of Haloxylon plantation and a reference ...
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As the recognition impact of a plant specie plantation in a specific area can determine the effects of that plant in other parts and areas of the country, the effects of Haloxylon plantation on the stand understory in desert lands of Ardestan were studied. Three areas of Haloxylon plantation and a reference site which were approximately similar in terms of altitude (height), slope, soil, and geomorphology have been selected. The necessary number of plots in each area was chosen on statistical base. In this study the plant density and crown closure of the understory species in the Haloxylon stand and also, the reference area were measured. Then, by using Dankan Test and Analysis of Variance through SPSS package the achieved data of the sampling were analyzed. The study conducted that there was a significant difference between the understory coverage of plantation areas and the reference site. It is concluded that the Haloxylon plantation caused a great deal of increasing in understory species number and composition.
Mohammad Gholampoor; Mohammad Khosroshahi; Jalal Barkhordari
Volume 15, Issue 4 , January 2009, , Pages 485-492
Abstract
Desert in terms of geomorphologic aspects has been defined and classified based on the morphogenesis, litological structures and combination of these two criteria. In this study Hormozgan desert has been classified in terms of geomorphologic features using morphometric method in order to separate the ...
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Desert in terms of geomorphologic aspects has been defined and classified based on the morphogenesis, litological structures and combination of these two criteria. In this study Hormozgan desert has been classified in terms of geomorphologic features using morphometric method in order to separate the desert area from non desert area. The objective of this work was to determine the extent of the natural desert of Hormozgam province using maps of geology, topography and combination of data collected from geomorphologic features of desert in the GIS environment. The geomorphologic features such as pediment plains, flooding beds in the route of water way network, drifted sand, nebkas, playa, saline lands and badlands were diagnosed. In order to be able to map all items in maps showing Hormozgan desert areas, the Satellite images from ETM was used to fined the new land features and also correct the boundary of desert lands. Finally it was found that the geomorphologic desert of Hormozgan covers % 17/2 of the whole area of the province.
Daruosh Ghorbanian; Sudabeh korouri; Parvin Salehi; Amar Rafiei Emam; Mohammad Mousavi
Volume 15, Issue 4 , January 2009, , Pages 525-539
Abstract
This project was done as a part of ecological and phonological studies of Haloxylon sp. This study was done in artificial habitat (Mohsenabad in Garmsar) and natural habitat (Chahjam in Shahrood) of Haloxylon sp. General information about condition of Haloxylon sp. habitats was gathered. Haloxylon ...
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This project was done as a part of ecological and phonological studies of Haloxylon sp. This study was done in artificial habitat (Mohsenabad in Garmsar) and natural habitat (Chahjam in Shahrood) of Haloxylon sp. General information about condition of Haloxylon sp. habitats was gathered. Haloxylon stands were examined from different points including viability of seeds, dry matter in green, yellow and green- yellow stands. Phonological studies were done. In addition, soil physical and chemical properties were determined. Results indicated the direct and significant effect of precipitation and temperature on growth of Haloxylon sp. The other important factors were insufficient amount of major elements, unsuitable texture, the low distance between stands that caused strong competition between trees to get nutrients. The presence of rare green stands indicated their genetical resistance. It seems that the origin of these stands are form central desert region of Iran.
Naser Baghestani Maybodi; Mohammad taghi Zare; Mohammad Abolghasemi
Volume 14, Issue 4 , February 2008, , Pages 478-489
Abstract
Wilted and dried up stands of haloxylon aphyllumspecies in afforested areas of Yazd has allways been a focal point of natural resources experts. Using various pruning treatments, the effect of pruning on the wideness of canopy cover and vigor of 12-year-old semi-trees of haloxylon aphyllumhad been evaluated ...
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Wilted and dried up stands of haloxylon aphyllumspecies in afforested areas of Yazd has allways been a focal point of natural resources experts. Using various pruning treatments, the effect of pruning on the wideness of canopy cover and vigor of 12-year-old semi-trees of haloxylon aphyllumhad been evaluated formerly. That study had been conducted in two different sections of the forest in the winter of years 1994. One section had shown a tree-density of 125 semi-trees per hectare, and the other had represented a tree-density of 250 semi-trees per hectare. The treatments included cutting at different heights of 70, 35, 10 cm and also no cutting (control). The results of that previous six-year study (1994-2000) showed that pruning increased vigority and regrowth of plants treated with different levels of pruning. The 35-cm pruning treatment was preferred over other treatments. At the end of growing season of year 2005, eleven years after pruning treatments, the same trees were evaluated for the second time. Results of the new study (in 2005) showed that while non-pruning (control) 23-year-old semi-trees are wilted and almost dried up, the semi-trees with pruning are vigorous and healthy. In terms of canopy cover and height, no significant difference was found between trees with different pruning treatment in the 5 years of 2000-2005. There was a significant reduction in the canopy cover and height of non-pruning (control) semi-trees (p<0.05). For the semi-trees which had been cut at a height of 35 cm, the diameter of canopy and the height were 262 and 164 cm, respectively. This semi-trees showed a good resistance against movement of sands and sand dunes.
Ebrahim Farahani; Mohammad Khosroshahi; Majid Hosseni; Seyamak Loghmani
Volume 14, Issue 4 , February 2008, , Pages 490-499
Abstract
Vegitation cover is one of the important environmetal factors which can determine desert areas. In this article, we determine desert areas in Tehran province by GIS. In the study area, dominant plant types and some of main ecological properties of them were assigned. Finally, by available information ...
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Vegitation cover is one of the important environmetal factors which can determine desert areas. In this article, we determine desert areas in Tehran province by GIS. In the study area, dominant plant types and some of main ecological properties of them were assigned. Finally, by available information and public characteristics of every plant type, desert area was separated. In this area, we distinguish 43 plant groups that 7 types of them belong to desert areas. This area is 307647 hectares which is formed 16.43 % of Tehran province.
Kian Najafi Shabankareh; Mohammad Khosroshahi; Mohammad Gholampoor
Volume 15, Issue 1 , January 2008, , Pages 95-113
Abstract
Resistant species to salinity and aridity and temperature fluctuation are approximately introducer of desert. These species have particular morphology compatibling themselves to fragile and acute condition of desert area. Some species accumulate water in their tissues. Some other species decrease leaves ...
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Resistant species to salinity and aridity and temperature fluctuation are approximately introducer of desert. These species have particular morphology compatibling themselves to fragile and acute condition of desert area. Some species accumulate water in their tissues. Some other species decrease leaves area and develope their root systems to use groundwater resources and some have particular phytocynthesis systems. As a general desert species with different mechanism resist against acut climate condition and unsuitable soil properties of desert regions. Characteristics of desert species distribution area can be determined the geographical domain of desert area. In this study dominant plant types in certain grupes and some of main ecological properties were assigned and related map in GIS environment was prepared. Finally, according to public characteristics of dominant species of every plant type and accompany species, desert area was sperated. In study area 22 plant group, each consist of some plant types was recognized. The distribution area of plant groups of Zygophyllum atripolicoides, Gymnocarpos decander and Hammada salicornica is about 730132, 599941 and 53260 hectar respectively.
Farhad Fakhri; Seyid Moh... Jafari; Mohammad Khosroshahi
Volume 14, Issue 3 , January 2007, , Pages 391-402
Abstract
Since geological formation is very important in the process of desert and desertification, in this article lithology, stratigraphy of the Boushehr province was studied with the help of 1:100000, 1:250000 scale maps of G.S.I and N.I.O.C using GIS methodology. Quaternary formations and most ...
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Since geological formation is very important in the process of desert and desertification, in this article lithology, stratigraphy of the Boushehr province was studied with the help of 1:100000, 1:250000 scale maps of G.S.I and N.I.O.C using GIS methodology. Quaternary formations and most of the evaporatic formations in the province were recognized. Saline and evaporatic formations were introduce as “Primary deserts”. Then with the help through overlaying the drainage network on the basic map of Quaternary formations, the secondary deserts was then recognized this kind of desert possess the evaporative material such as gypsum and salt. Both of these processes (The primary and secondary deserts) have formed Boushehr province deserts. final Results showed that 47% of Boushehr province area is classified as desert including 592041 ha “Primary deserts” and 574579 ha as ‘secondary deserts”. It was concluded that most important geological formation effective in deserts formation in Boushehr province comes from Hormoz series, Gachsaran, Mishan and Aghajari formations.